Receptacle for matches



PATENTED FEB. 9, 1904.

J. E. NEAHR. REGEPTAGLE FOR MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19, 1903.

no MODEL.

217. 2.- 2 4 luz/eraor' W [2 M 6?. .Zjitwm y UNITED STATES Patented"February 9, 190a.

PATENT OEEicE.

RECEPTACLE FOR MATCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 751,675, dated February9, 1904:.

Application filed January 19, 1903. Serial No. 139,560. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AGOB E. NEAHR, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Melrosc, county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, have inventedcertain new and useful improvements in Receptacles for Matches and LikeArticles, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to match-receptacles, and is intended to providea simple and eflicient device so constructed and arranged as to permitthe removal of but a single match at a time.

The invention consists in certain improvements in the construction andarrangement of a match-receptacle of this kind, which will be explainedin the specification, and defined in the claims annexed hereto andforming part of said specification.

In the drawings 1 have shown one of the forms under which my inventionmay be e111- bodied, although it will be understood that changes may bemade in the details of construction herein shown and described.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the complete match-receptacle, and Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional view illustratingthe interior construction.

The form of match-receptacle herein shown is of rectangular shape,although, of course, it will be understood that any desired outline orshape of box or base may be used. As herein shown, it comprises arectangular base portion (4, provided with a series of verticalcorrugations, as shown at 0/, which form aroughened surface againstwhich the match may be struck to be ignited. This hollow base a isprovided at each end with a set-screw a for a purpose presently to bedescribed. The box 7), which constitutes the receptacle proper, is alsoof rectangular shape and fits inside of the hollow base member a. Ateither end the box or receptacle 7) may be provided with open pockets,as shown at 7). The top or cover of the box is shown at c and isprovided with a transverse slot just wide enough to permit the easyremoval of a single match at a time. Near the middle part of the cover 0the metal or material is cut away to form an enlarged opening to permitthe fingers to pass below the surface of the cover to grasp a matchpreparatory to removing it from the box. The box is provided with amovable or false bottom, as shown at (Z, which forms a support for thematches or other articles which the box contains. mally pressed upwardby any suitable means; but I have herein shown a pair of longsprings (3,whose lower ends are secured by means of set-screws to the base member(.6 and whose upper ends are curved or bent over, as shown at e, to forma smooth contact-surface with the bottom face of the false bottom or follower (Z.

By securing the springs to the base member a and then supporting thereceptacle 6 adjustably in said base member by means of the setscrews itis possible to accommodate the position of the receptacle 5 according tothe quantity of matches in the receptacle, so that the tension exertedby the springs against the bottom shall not be subject to too wide arange of variation. For example, when the receptacle is practicallyfilled to its capacity the plunger (Z will be near the bottom edgeof'the receptacle. In such position a very considerable tension would beexerted on the springs if they were so constructed and arranged as to beaifected when the follower was near the top of its upward traverse. Thewide range of action required by the spring in such case may besubstantially diminished by securing the box or receptacle 6 in positionwith its lower edge only a slight distancebelow the set-screws (0 As thematches are removed the follower will rise upward, and in time thetension of the springs against the bottom will be very much less thanthe initial tension. This loss of tension may be compensated for byslacking the set-screws e and lowering the receptacle 7) toward thebottom of the base, which operation necessarily lowers the false bottom(Z in a corresponding measure, and thus causing the springs to exertsubstantially their initial tension.

The pockets 5 are useful for the ends of burned matches, &c.

It will be noticed that the top or cover 0 of the receptacle is made sothat it slopes from This movable bottom (Z is norits two ends downwardtoward the middle.

W'hile I do not confine myself to this con struction, yet I find itadvantageous, while it prevents the tendency of the plunger to force outmatches that may come directly under and in line with the transverseslot 0.

Without attempting to set forth all the changes in form, construction,and arrangement that may be made in the practice of my invention and allthe purposes to which it may be applied, what I claim is 1. Amatch-receptacle embracing in its construction, abase member, aboX-likereceptacle adjustably mounted in said base member, a false bottom, andmeans for pressing said false bottom upward to force the contents of thebox upward, and a cover constructed and arranged to permit the removalof but a single match at a time.

2. A match-receptacle embracing in its construction, a box-likereceptacle for containing matches, a false bottom for supporting thematches in said box, springs for exerting a tension against said falsebottom, and means for adjusting the relative position of the parts toregulate the tension of the springs against said bottom.

3. A match-receptacle embracing in its construction, a box-likereceptacle provided with a slotted cover whose middle portion isinclined downward below the level of the end portions, a false bottomarranged in said box, and means for pressing the false bottom upward soas to press the contents of said box against the cover.

4. A match-receptacle embracing in its construction, a base member,abox-like receptacle adj ustably secured in said base member, a slottedcover for said receptacle, a false bottom arranged therein, andspring-metal strips whose lower ends are secured to the base member andwhose upper ends are arranged to press yieldingly against the falsebottom.

In witness whereof Ihave hereunto set my hand this 3d day of December,1902.

JACOB E. NEAHR.

1n presence of GEO. N. GODDARD, KATHARINE A. DUGAN.

